(201) Magazine Blogs

Thursday, July 12, 2012

A few thoughts from Jeff Halpern

Had a chance to chat via telephone with new Ranger Jeff Halpern, who said he was excited to rejoin John Tortorella after playing 19 games with him behind the bench with the Lightning in 2007-08.

Halpern added he really respected and liked how the Rangers played last season, especially how aggressive they were on the forecheck. He believes the Rangers full-game efforts forced opponents to get away from what they were trying to do. And in chatting about the Rangers-Capitals series, Halpern thought it was a “great series” that could have gone either way.

But he doesn’t discount that 14 physical postseason games wound up affecting the Rangers in their six-game loss to the Devils in the Eastern Conference final.

“If the Rangers had won in six, I don’t think I would have been surprised,” Halpern said of the Devils’ series. “I thought the Washington-New York series was real physical and hard fought and Ottawa was hard fought and physical. Those are 14 tough games. New Jersey got a break (five games in the second round against the Flyers). If they started the playoffs (playing each other), I don’t know if it’s the same result.”

On whether the Rangers have indicated to him what they see as his role: “I talked a little bit with coach, with Torts. We had a brief conversation and exchanged messages a couple of times. We went over a couple of things.”

On how he things he’ll fit in: “I love the team, I love the style of play as far as being a really aggressive forechecking team. It’s a style I’ve always enjoyed playing. I enjoyed playing it when I played for Torts in Tampa. Over the last few years, I’ve moved between center to wing on the third or fourth line. I try to tilt the ice as much as possible. Personally, I want to contribute a little more offensively but just tilt the ice.”

On whether he thought he’d return to the Capitals: “As soon as the season ended, Dale Hunter stepped away so I didn’t know where things stood. I talked a little bit with the GM there (George McPhee). With the Rangers, whenever you’re a free agent, you look around at teams where you might fit in. I thought New York might be a good place for a fit.”

On playing for Tortorella: “My own personal experience, it was only a handful of games but I like how cut and dried everything is. He demands and expects a lot from players. If you’re able to do what he says and respond to what he’s asking for, usually he doesn’t have an issue with you as a player. I like things up front.”

On the postseason: “I thought it was a great series. The triple overtime game and Game 5 could’ve gone either way. The double minor at the end of Game 5, that was a crazy ending. I think with the Rangers, throughout the regular season and the playoffs, they’d play a full 60 minutes, or more in the playoffs, and grind teams down so they’d throw out the blueprint that’s instilled in that team. It was impressive to see they didn’t need to vary from that at all.”

On whether he received other offers: “There was some chatter. But, for the most part, when the Rangers came up, I wanted to jump on that as quickly as possible. That was a real exciting offer for me.”

On whether many players want to come and play for Tortorella: “Any player likes to win, to be put in situations with a chance to win and be successful. If you believe in the system, people want to be a part of it.”

Posted by Andrew Gross on 07/12 at 12:41 AM

If Weber does land in Philly, the Preds are going to be desperate for NHL ready defenseman… Slats may be able to work a deal with them for maybe MDZ and /or Ericson or even Bickel or maybe the Tank in there.. Preds will be top heavy with picks but very light on defense… Maybe Rangers can land Erat or Fisher or Legwand or Hornqvist and #1 pick. Preds are already at the bottom of the CAP Payroll list at $40.854Mil.. they drop another 7.5 if weber exits.

Posted by R L on 07/20 at 08:03 PM

Andrew Gross‏@AGrossRecord

#NYR trade F Casey Wellman to Panthers in exchange for a fifth round pick in 2014.

Posted by JJ on 07/20 at 08:52 PM

I was hoping Wellman would be a good 4th liner for us, but obviously and rightfully he wanted out because this team didn’t even give him a single chance.

I doubt Cally is going anywhere. Money probably won’t be an issue, length of contract will be—- unless the new CBA takes care of that. I have no issue with going north of $5.5 mill as long as it’s south of $6 mill.

Regarding Dubi, I think he’ll have a bounce back year but I’m starting to believe that he has no real upside to his game. We saw his upside 2 <a >Fashion tips for men</a> years ago, not sure there’s anything more there and the odds look good that he’ll hang in that 50 point area at best. If he’s traded, it’s going to be in a package deal where the Rangers get the best player in the deal—- i.e. for a Nash or Ryan type

Posted by Owen Taylor on 12/19 at 01:20 AM

I doubt Cally is going anywhere. Money probably won’t be an issue, length of contract will be—- unless the new CBA takes care of that. I have no issue with going north of $5.5 mill as long as it’s south of $6 mill.

Regarding Dubi, I think he’ll have a bounce back year but I’m starting to believe that he has no real upside to his game. We saw his upside 2 <a >Fashion tips for men</a> years ago, not sure there’s anything more there and the odds look good that he’ll hang in that 50 point area at best. If he’s traded, it’s going to be in a package deal where the Rangers get the best player in the deal—- i.e. for a Nash or Ryan type

About

ANDREW GROSS covers the New York Rangers for The Record and Herald News, having joined the North Jersey Media Group in November 2007. Gross also covered the Rangers and New York Jets, as well as St. John’s basketball and Army football, for Gannett Newspapers and The Journal News (N.Y.). He graduated from Syracuse University in 1989 with a degree in newspaper journalism.